To determine if a sale of alcohol is legal, what should you do?

The correct approach to ensuring a legal sale of alcohol involves actively monitoring the behavior of customers. It’s important to be aware of how individuals are acting because their behavior can provide essential clues about their level of intoxication or if they are underage. If a customer appears overly intoxicated or is behaving in a suspicious manner, it is a strong signal that the sale may not be lawful, and you should take appropriate action, such as refusing service.

In contrast, while asking for ID is a standard practice and checking local laws is important for compliance, these steps may not provide the full context needed at the moment of sale. Monitoring customer behavior allows for a more immediate assessment of legality and responsibility, reinforcing the duty of care to prevent over-serving and underage sales. Engaging with the manager can inform decisions, but ultimately, the frontline staff needs to be vigilant in assessing the situation to maintain compliance with state laws and regulations.